English

To help critical, reflective English teachers work in diverse middle and high schools, certification candidates engage in a rigorous program of study that blends theory and practice, course work in English and education, and time in University classes and public school classrooms. We are looking for diverse candidates who are committed to social justice and supporting all students to develop the strategies, literacies, and skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly diverse, globally connected, and technologically dependant world. We encourage applications for STEP English from candidates with a strong background in English (see the Outline of Subject Matter Requirements in English for competency areas) and some experience working with youth, teaching or tutoring, and/or working/volunteering in diverse settings.

In order to prepare for the Department of Education Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure MTEL in English and meet the National Council of Teachers of English Standards, English Education students will meet subject matter requirements. See the following link: English Subject Matter and Coursework

Note that multiple requirements may be met through one course if the content adequately addresses the competency areas.

Post BA and Masters students in the University-to-Schools track may take courses to fulfill these requirements during the course of their degree program. Students enrolled in Bridges and 180 Days will have already met the significant majority of these requirements prior to commencing their program. Alternative reading lists may be available to help English Language Arts candidates meet these requirements outside of specific courses.

• Massachusetts teacher licenses in English are offered in at two grade levels (middle school, grades 5-8 or high school, grades 8-12). English Teacher Education is nationally accredited by the National Council of Teacher of English (NCTE) and NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education).

History / Political Science

The History and Political Science Teacher Education area prepares undergraduate and graduate students for careers as middle and high school history and social studies teachers and leaders. Grounded in inquiry-based learning principles, history and political science teacher education combines extensive coursework in fields of history, government, geography, and economics with an emphasis on best practice teaching methods and interactive educational technologies. New history and political science teacher candidates work in a wide variety of public school settings and may see k licensure along the various pathways from University to Schools (Post-BA and Masters) to 180 Days in Springfield and Bridges to the Future (intensive one year Masters). We encourage applications for STEP English from candidates with a strong background in History/Political Science (see the Outline of Subject Matter Requirements in History or Political Science for competency areas) and some experience working with youth, teaching or tutoring, and/or working/volunteering in diverse settings.

• Note that multiple requirements may be met through one course if the content adequately addresses the competency areas.
• Post BA and Masters students in the University-to-Schools track may take courses to fulfill these requirements during the course of their degree program. Students enrolled in Bridges and 180 Days will have already met the significant majority of these requirements prior to commencing their program.
• Massachusetts teacher licenses are offered in two areas: (history or political science/political philosophy) at two grade levels (middle school, grades 5-8 or high school, grades 8-12). History and Political Science Teacher Education is nationally accredited by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education).
• For more information, contact: Robert W. Maloy at rwm@educ.umass.edu or see the following link: History/ Political Subject Matter and Coursework

Mathematics

To help critical, reflective teachers of Mathematics work in diverse middle and high schools, certification candidates engage in a rigorous program of study that blends theory and practice, course work in Mathematics and education, and time in University classes and public school classrooms. We are looking for diverse candidates who are committed to social justice and supporting all students to develop the strategies, literacies, and skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly diverse, globally connected, and technologically dependant world. We encourage applications for STEP Mathematics from candidates with a strong background in Mathematics (see the Outline of Subject Matter Requirements in Mathematics for competency areas) and some experience working with youth, teaching or tutoring, and/or working/volunteering in diverse settings.

In order to prepare for the Department of Education Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure MTEL in mathematics and meet the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards, Mathematics Education students will meet subject matter requirements.

Post BA and Masters students in the University-to-Schools track may take courses to fulfill these requirements during the course of their degree program. Students enrolled in Bridges and 180 Days will have already met the significant majority of these requirements prior to commencing their program.

• Massachusetts teacher licenses in mathematics are offered in at two grade levels (middle school, grades 5-8 or high school, grades 8-12). Please review the link below to assess your knowledge readiness to enter a licensure program in middle or high school mathematics, as the requirements are somewhat different.
• For more information, contact John Francisco at jmfranci@educ.umass.edu or see the following link:Mathematics Subject Matter and Coursework

Sciences

STEP offers pathways to licensure in Middle School Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics. To help critical, reflective teachers of the sciences work in diverse middle and high schools, certification candidates engage in a rigorous program of study that blends theory and practice, course work in science education, and time in University classes and public school classrooms. We are looking for diverse candidates who are committed to social justice and supporting all students to develop the strategies, literacies, and skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly diverse, globally connected, and technologically dependant world. We encourage applications for STEP Science from candidates with a strong background in the sciences (see the Outline of Subject Matter Requirements in the Sciences for competency areas) and some experience working with youth, teaching or tutoring, and/or working/volunteering in diverse settings.

In order to prepare for the Department of Education Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure MTEL in your subject specific science and meet the National Science Teachers Association Standards, Science Education students will meet subject matter requirements specific to their science. Please review the requirements and see where your coursework most supports the competency.

Note that multiple requirements may be met through one course if the content adequately addresses the competency areas.

Post BA and Masters students in the University-to-Schools track may take courses to fulfill these requirements during the course of their degree program. Students enrolled in Bridges and 180 Days will have already met the significant majority of these requirements prior to commencing their program.

• Massachusetts teacher licenses in Science (Middle School Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics) are offered in at two grade levels (middle school, grades 5-8 or high school, grades 8-12). Science Teacher Education is nationally accredited by the National Science Teachers’ Association (NSTA ) and NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education).
• The Science Education program in STEP offers programs of study leading to licensure in middle school science, biology, chemistry, physics and earth science. The licensure pathways include post-BA, 18-24 month Masters programs, one-year intensive programs in urban and rural settings, and, for UMass Amherst undergraduates, licensure with completion of the bachelor’s degree.
• Candidates in science education need a strong background in their discipline before they enter the program. You can check the links below to review the course requirements that are necessary in order to meet subject specific knowledge expectations. If there are areas of weakness in your background knowledge, be prepared to take coursework that will further support this knowledge base either prior to applying or post-admission.
• All candidates in science education complete the STEP program of study, which includes coursework and field experiences that move from introduction to the social context of teaching and learning to subject specific methods classes, culminating in a full time student teaching practicum of one semester in a local school.
• University-to-school candidates for the Masters and Bachelors degrees are encouraged to support their STEP program of study with course work that extends their knowledge of science teaching and learning. Through courses that examine issues such as how students learn science, the impact of issues of equity and justice on the study of science, and the use of technology in the classroom, teacher candidates are prepared to enter the classroom with a deep understanding of the nuances of science teaching and learning as intellectual and social events. Masters students generally complete the program in 12-24 months, and Bachelor’s students begin in their junior year and complete student teaching in the spring of their senior year.
• Post-BA candidates for licensure in an area of science complete the STEP program of study, including a full semester of the student teaching practicum. The science education advisor might, upon review of your transcript, require further coursework in the sciences.  
• Candidates in either of the intensive STEP programs, Bridges to the Future or 180 Days in Springfield, complete a set program of study. These one-year masters programs involve full time attendance in the schools and coursework offered primarily on school sites.
• For further information, see the following link: Sciences Subject Matter and Coursework

STEP Core Courses

Foundations

Educ 524 The Work of the Middle and High School Teacher (3 credits)

Educ 497I/597R Tutoring in Schools (3 credits)

Educ 305 Educational Psychology (3 credits) or/Educ 693I Psychology on the Classroom(3 credits –Educational Psychology)

Educ 615j Education and the Law (1 Credit)

Recommended: Educ 591A Inclusion in Schools (1 credit)

Clinical Year

Educ 511, 512, 514 or 515 Subject specific Methods (3 credits)

Educ 592s pre-practicum

Educ 500 Practicum (Student Teaching) (credits vary with program)

Educ 510 Student Teaching Seminar (2 credits)